Things to do — Akureyri

Pedestrian centre (Hafnarstræti and Kaupvangsstræti). Icelandic design boutiques, cafés (iconic Bláa Kannan, Te & Kaffi, Berlin), restaurants. 1-2 h of walking.

Akureyrarkirkja (modernist Lutheran church 1940, free, open 10am-5pm). 112 access steps from the bottom of the hill. Architecture by Guðjón Samúelsson (architect of Reykjavik's Hallgrímskirkja). Panorama over the city and fjord from the forecourt. 30 min.

Lystigarðurinn botanical garden (founded 1912, free, open June to September 8am-10pm, off-season 8am-5pm, closed in winter). World's northernmost. 7,000 plant species — all temperate and Arctic flora on the planet. Pleasant 30-60 min visit. On-site café-restaurant for lunch or snack.

Akureyri Museum of Art (ISK 1,200 / €8, open 12pm-5pm, closed Monday). Icelandic contemporary art and temporary exhibitions. 1 h visit.

Nonni House (Nonnahús, ISK 1,800 / €12, open June to August). Birth house of children's author Jón Sveinsson 'Nonni' (1857-1944), his books translated into 40 languages. Very well preserved. 30-45 min.

Sundlaug Akureyrar public pool (ISK 1,200 / €8, open 6:45am-9:30pm Monday-Friday, 8am-7:30pm weekend). Several outdoor geothermal pools with fjord view. Hot tub, sauna, hammam, children's slide. This is the most authentic experience of Akureyri, massively frequented by locals. 1-2 h on site.

Brynja (Iceland's most famous ice cream, open since 1939, €4-6 per ice cream, queue assured in good weather). Unmissable local speciality.

Hlíðarfjall (5 min by car, ski resort in winter, hiking in summer). Summit at 1,538 m, exceptional panorama over Akureyri and the fjord. December-April ski season, €45 day pass. Easy summer hike (2-3 h round trip), free.

Excursions from Akureyri: Goðafoss (30 min east, emblematic waterfall, half day), Mývatn (1 h 30 east, volcanic area, full day), Húsavík (1 h 30 north-east, whales, day), Dettifoss (2 h 30 east, Europe's most powerful waterfall, day), Tröllaskagi (panoramic road to Siglufjörður, day), Grímsey (island crossing the Arctic Circle, 3 h ferry from Dalvík or 30 min flight, day).